Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreeexpands on the stories of characters like Messmer, Miquella, and Marika. Despite their unique personalities, a lot of these characters share common grounds and motivations that led to the downfall of the Land of Shadow.

When a fan on Twitter asked about Marika’s story based on a cutscene from the game’s trailer, a response garnered the community’s attention, leading to possible theories about her true intentions.
The Greater Will May Be the True Culprit Behind the Hornsent’s Downfall
When user MenasLG on Twitter shared a screenshot from one ofElden RingDLC’scutscenes, it begged the question about Marika and the Greater Will, and what exactly it was referring to.
“After beating the Elden Ring DLC multiple times…”: Only 1 Boss Ranks Above Radahn for Difficulty According the Shadow of the Erdtree Superfan Ziostorm
User Louis XIV Roi Soleil’s answer to this question gave rise to a theory that might explain what led to Marika’s anguish against the Hornsent in the Land of Shadow.
Metyr, The Mother of Fingers, seduced Marika into becoming the champion of the Greater Will and the Founder of its Golden Order by giving her the means and ressources to enact her vengeful retribution against the Hornsent Civilisation that experimented on her fellow shamans.

According to this theory, Marika was manipulated and seduced in an attempt to have her lead the Golden Order that would eventually devour the Hornsent and everything these people stood for.
While many players assumed that her motives led to the downfall of the Land of Shadow, it seems like there’s more to this story than we may have imagined.

Much of The DLC Is a Result of Messmer’s Purge
When Marika’s people were tortured and killed in the Land of Shadow, such grotesque acts of violence pushed her to leave the realm. However, she returned much stronger, and she wasn’t alone in her pursuits.
“As close as we’re getting to Bloodborne 2”: Elden Ring DLC Certainly Seems to Include a Massive Hint at the Sequel Everyone Wants From Hidetaka Miyazaki
The infamous Messmer was responsible for the purge that burnt much of this realm to a crisp, leaving nothing but remains of the Hornsent and a universal hate for Messmer, Marika, and everyone associated with them.
However, if the theory holds true, it was actually Metyr, The Mother of Fingers, who seduced Marika into becoming a powerful entity that could take over the Land of Shadow.

Metyr was the daughter of the Greater Will. She descended from a cosmos that led to the Land of Shadow and carried out a purpose that was destined to shape the fate of everything and everyone in the game.
When the Tarnished stumble upon this realm, they find it in a state of decay, where almost everything has been ruined and Messmer happens to be one of the main villains. But, is he truly the one to blame here?

What are your thoughts on the DLC’s themes and world-building? Do you have a theory about what led to the downfall of this realm? Let us know in the comments below.
Tanay Sharma
Articles Published :636
Tanay is a gaming writer who wears more hats than Red Dead Redemption 2 characters. He’s a musician, writer, voice-over artist and adores interactive media. He covers everything from game reviews to interviews with developers. His favorite games are the ones with memorable stories and characters. He’s also pursuing a master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences. No, he won’t read your mind.